Pope Francis called upon all people of faith to set aside Thursday 14th May as a day to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking earlier this month, the Pope said prayer was a "universal value" and implored all people - no matter what their belief system - to call out to God at this challenging time.
He declared that "believers of all religions" must now "unite spiritually this 14 May for a day of prayer, fasting, and works of charity, to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic."
The Pope added: "Remember: 14 May, all believers together, believers of different traditions, to pray, fast, and perform works of charity."
Pope expanded on the subject of prayer during his message at Wednesday's General Audience, noting that prayer is common to all people, no matter what their religion, and “probably even to those who profess no religion.”
Prayer, he added, is “born within the secrecy of our beings, in that interior place called the ‘heart’.”
The Pope continued: “We can ask God for anything, explain everything, tell Him everything.
“God is the faithful ally: if men and women cease to love, He continues to love, even if love leads Him to Calvary.
"Let us place ourselves in prayer between the merciful arms of God to feel embraced by that mystery of happiness which is the Trinitarian life, to feel like those who are invited but have not merited such an honour.”
